Identification tag and signalling means



SePt- 24 1957 H. w. FlsHER 2807108 IDENTIFICATION TAG AND SIGNALLING MEANS Filed Aug. '23, 1956 United States Patent() IDENTIFICATION TAG AND SIGN ALLING MEANS Howard W. Fisher, Chicago, lll.

Application August 23, 1956, Serial No. 605,858

3 Claims. (Cl. l0-2.2)

My invention relates to combined or combination identication tags and signalling means.

An important object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character which is adapted to be worn about the neck of a person furnishing identification in the event of death of the person wearing 1t, or furnishing signalling means in the event that said person is lost at sea, or in -a forest.

Another object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character consisting of an identification plate, and an -additional separable identification plate which is provided with means for confining the same between the upper and lower jaws of a corpse.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character which may also indicate whether the wearer is suffering from some ailment which requires specific treatment.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a separable identification tag means, identical with the prime identification tag means, which may be separated by breakage from the original assemblage, and which is provided with means for securing said -separable identification plate between the upper and lower jaws of the head of a corpse, or which may be secured to a casket in which said corpse is confined.

A further object of my invention is to provide dual identification tag means which are pivotably connected one to the other so that the same may be rotated out of superimposed relationship permitting a mirror-like surface on one of the identification tags to afford signalling means by use `or in concert with the rays of the sun.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character which has one of its identification tags secured to a chain through a clasp to permit a person to wear the same about the neck and concealed under the clothing.

Other objects, advantages, and features inherent in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention showing dual identification tag means pivotably connected one to the other, and in a position whereby they indicate the elemental structure of the invention, showing also the two tags in offset arrangement so as to make available the reflector surface to be used for signalling purposes.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional View taken, substantially, on the lines 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the invention showing the two plates in normal or superimposed position.

Fig. 4 is a view showing one of the identification plates or tags which has been broken away from assemblage and is confined between the upper and lower jaws of the head of a corpse.

Referring to the various views, my invention is generally designated 5, and consists of an identification plate Tice` 6, and a second identification plate 8 lwhich is secured to a metallic support 7 and is separated from the support 7 'by the weakened portion 17 so as to permit the same to be broken away therefrom by flexing it in opposite directions a number of times. The element 7 is secured pivotably by means of a rivet or grommet 18 to the identification plate or tag 6 and saidv rivet 18 is composed of a body 19 permitting the identification plate 6 and the identification plate or tag 8 connected to the element 7 to swivel about the body 19 of the rivet 18 which has an enlarged head 20 at the bottom thereof and also a spring-tensioned washer 21 to hold the two plates frictionally in any set position desired.

The identification tag 8 is provided with indicia conveying information such as the name of the individual designated 12 or the army serial number or navy serial number 13, similar information being indicated as 14 and 15 respectively on the identification tag 6. Additional identification of ailments such as indicated at 16, namely that the person or the wearer is diabetic and requires certain insulin units for treatment in the event the wearer has been rendered unconscious by his ailment so that others will know what to do in such emergencies.

The identification plate 6 is secured to a chain 24 through a ring 23 and a separable clip 22 so that the same may be removedwhen desired. When the identification tag plate 8 is broken away at 17 and separated therefrom the notches 9 and 10 furnish ideal anchorage between the upper and lower jaw teeth 26 and 27 of a corpse 25.

The mirrored surface 28 may be used for signalling by means of the rays of the sun when a person is lost at sea or in a forest. The identification tag 8 may also be used for nailing to a casket or cofiin by nailing through hole 11. When `a person is lost at sea, that person may offset the upper identification tag 8 from the lower identification tag 6 by swivelling the upper identification tag 8 about its pivotable axis or rivet 18 so as to expose the mirror surface 28 4in order to provide reflection for signalling in accordance with army or navy codes, informing airplanes, or helicopters or aircraft, Where the person in the water is approximately located so that he can be saved, or otherwise aided.

When worn about the neck of a person by means of chain 24 the tags 8 and 6 are in superimposition as indicated in Fig. 3 so as to occupy a minimum of space and are concealed under the clothing of the wearer being accessible in an emergency, for example, a person with a diabetic ailment, to other persons who may then nd the mstructions for giving the ailing person proper treatment.

The identification tag 8 may be broken by a few flexible movements fracturing the weakened portion 17 permitting it to be separted so that it may be nailed to a coin by means of the hole 11, or by means of notches 9 and 10 it may be positioned in between the teeth 26 and 27. The identification tag 6 may then be mailed in to the army headquarters, or base where the armed forces maintain their records so as to notify nearest of kin of the decease of the individual.

While the invention has been described in some detail it is to be understood that it is not limited to the use of the exact details shown, but may be carried out in other ways, my invention being limited only to the appended claims.

Having thus described and revealed my invention, what I claim a-s new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Identification tag and signalling means, comprising a plural number of tag elements swivellably secured so as to permit positioning said tag elements in superimposition, as well as to permit arranging said tag elements in offset relationship, one of said tag elements being provided with a weakened portion to permit separation thereof from assembly by fracture of said weakened portion, and being further provided with oppositely disposed notch portions to permit retention thereof between upper and lower teeth of the head of a corpse.

2.Identication tag and signalling means, comprising a plural number of tag elements swivellably secured so as to permit positioning said tag elements in superirnposition, as Well as to permit arranging said tag elements in offset relationship, one of said tag elements being provided with means to permit nailing the same to a casket, and being further provided with oppositely disposed notch portions to permit retention thereof between upper and HL t tion, as Well as to permit arranging said tag elements in offset relationship, one of said tag elements being provided with a weakened portion to permit separation thereof from assembly by fracture of said weakened portion, and being provided with means to permit nailing the same to a casket, -said other of said tag elements being further provided with oppositely disposed notch portions to permit retention thereof between upper and lower teeth of the head of a corpse.

Reerences Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 209,577 Meineke Nov. 5, 1878 987,703 Curtin Mar. 28, 1911 1,713,153 Webber May 14, 1929 1,979,960 Coughlin Nov. 6, 1934 

